Town twinning

Jouy-en-Josas, France

The town lies in the peaceful, lush Vallee de la Bievre - the Valley of Beavers - six kilometres south-east of Versailles and 20km south-west of Paris.

Famous worldwide for its beautiful printed linen, "Toiles de Jouy", the town is enjoying a revival of the linen's popularity thanks to fashion designers and trends in home furnishing.

The Jouvaciens actively enjoy taking part in many social, sporting and cultural events. The town boasts many clubs and societies. There is a local School of Music and Dance, the Museum of Toiles de Jouy and the museum of souvenirs of Leon Blum who had a cottage in the area.

Jouy is also home to the famous business school, Haut Etude Commercial, which, coupled with the Agricultural Research Centre, gives the town its nickname, Mini Silicon Valley.